Train passengers in South Wales face widespread disruption as maintenance work is carried out during the next three months.

Network Rail will be upgrading the railway line between Cardiff and Newport to prepare it for new electric trains between London and the Welsh capital.

According to the Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) website, during these periods there will be changes in service times, reduction in service frequency, services starting and terminating at Newport, platform changes at Cardiff Central and a rail replacement bus services, mainly on Sundays and the August bank holiday weekend.

Arriva Trains Wales and Great Western Railway services running through Cardiff Central and Newport will be affected.

Swansea will not have rail electrification it has been revealed

GWR weekend services between Cardiff and Bristol and Cardiff and London will also be affected by Severn Tunnel and Bristol Parkway improvement works until Sunday, October 29.

Diversions or rail replacement bus services will be in place.

There will be no trains between Newport and Cardiff over the bank holiday weekend, with replacement buses running instead.

From September 23 to October 29, a second phase of electrification work on the eastern approach to Cardiff Central station will see services between Cardiff and Newport reduced during the week and at weekends, with some rail replacement bus services in operation.

Over the six weekends, the Severn Tunnel will also be closed for annual maintenance, so there will be reduced services between Cardiff and London Paddington, with a diversion through Gloucester.

Between Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, September 3, there will also be extensive service changes and timetable amendments on the Ebbw Vale line.

(Image: Western Mail)

Andy Thomas, Network Rail route managing director for Wales, said: “We recognise that passengers will face some disruption, and we understand how frustrating this can be but this work is essential in preparing Cardiff for new electric trains as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“We would like to thank passengers for their ongoing patience as we undertake this essential engineering work. We will continue to work closely with our partners at Arriva Trains Wales and Great Western Railway to ensure passengers are able to get to where they need to be during this period.”

'The greatest step-change in experience for our passengers in a generation'

GWR’s Wales development manager Mark Youngman said: “The first Intercity Express Train to enter passenger service is just a number of months away; providing over a fifth more seats per train and, with the completion of electrification, quicker journeys.

“The work next month is a key part of Network Rail’s upgrade plans, helping GWR to take full advantage of our new fleet and the greatest step-change in experience for our passengers in a generation.”

Lynne Milligan, customer services director at Arriva Trains Wales said: “We will be working closely with our partners in Network Rail to ensure our customers experience as little disruption to their journeys as possible while this essential work goes ahead. All customers should look to plan ahead before travel so they are aware whether there is an impact on their journey.”

Passengers are urged to check before they travel as journeys will be less frequent and may take longer during these works.